Highland Fling by Katie Fforde Read Free Book Online

drawing room. She presented the carrier bag.
    Lady Dalmain accepted it graciously. ‘Thank you. It was kind of you to be so thoughtful. I realise that your position here is not really that of guest in the conventional sense, so I appreciate the gesture.’ She inclined her head. ‘I gather you have something to do with computers, and are going to do something which will help Philip?’
    ‘That’s right.’ It was also almost true. ‘It’s very kind of you to let me stay while I do the work.’
    ‘It will be pleasant for Felicity to have some young company. Besides, there are no hotels in the vicinity. We rather treasure our remoteness.’
    Jenny smiled, unable to think of anything to say.
    They sat in silence for a few moments, listening to the fire spit and hiss and the dogs grunt and trying not to listen to the distant murmur of voices that was growing no nearer. Obviously the kitchen was more attractive than the drawing room.
    Covering the obvious absence of her daughter and her guest, Lady Dalmain drew breath. ‘Felicity’s rather a vulnerable girl, you know. She lets herself be put upon by people. I expect this Lachlan is after her money. I must make it clear to him that she hasn’t got any.’ Lady Dalmain squeezed her eyes in an imitation of a smile. ‘Tell me about your family.’
    Jenny limped through a description of her parents, how her father was dead and how her mother occupied her days. Lady Dalmain nodded, satisfied that Jenny’s family were humble, yet respectable. Then she said something which made Jenny nervous.
    ‘Explain to me about this computer business. Philip says you work for a man you haven’t met. Forgive me if I appear to be stupid, but how can this be?’
    Jenny took a breath, fervently wishing she had spoken to Philip directly, so she knew what story he’d fed his mother. ‘It is a bit strange when you’re not used to the idea, but it’s quite simple. I communicate with him through my computer, or the telephone, or fax. We don’t actually have to meet at all. I work for a couple of other people as well, though, as it happens, I have met them. Mr Grant-Dempsey was out of thecountry when I was recommended to him. Still is, as far as I know.’
    Lady Dalmain was regarding Jenny as if she’d just announced she was from another planet, when Felicity and Lachlan entered the room.
    Lachlan was tall and thin with pale hair and freckles. He didn’t look like the sort of man to set a girl’s soul on fire, but he didn’t look like a fortune-hunter either. Felicity, by his side, looked flushed and extremely pretty. The session in the kitchen must have gone well.
    ‘Mama,’ said Felicity, drawing her friend into the room, ‘I’d like you to meet Lachlan McGregor. Lachlan, my mother, Lady Dalmain.’
    ‘I think we’ve met already, many years ago,’ said Lady Dalmain, nearly smiling and looking almost benign. ‘You must forgive my daughter for forgetting that. Her memory’s not what it was.’
    ‘Her memory’s just fine, Lady Dalmain. She remembered my name when we hadn’t met for years and she didn’t have the benefit of being reminded of me.’
    Lady Dalmain accepted this rebuke with a modicum of respect. She obviously enjoyed male company far more than female. ‘I think that might say more about you than about my daughter.’
    ‘Have a drink, Lachlan.’ Felicity tipped the end of a bottle of whisky into a glass. ‘Do you want water with that?’ She waved a crystal jug over the glass in an enquiring way. ‘No?’
    ‘Felicity, I hope you’ve left enough whisky for Philip when he comes in.’
    ‘Oh yes. I’ve got another bottle here. Jenny, how about another one?’
    Jenny shook her head. She had to get through dinnerwithout passing out, forgetting why Lady Dalmain thought she was here, or making some dreadful social blunder.
    ‘I would like some more,’ said Lady Dalmain, holding out her glass.
    ‘Oh, sorry, Mama.’
    ‘Mama’, Jenny noted, accepted the same